Capitalization guidelines

In practice, capitalization is one of the most common sources of inconsistency in product messaging, so clear guidelines save teams time and prevent visual confusion. Choose between sentence case (only first word capitalized: "Create new account”) and title case (each major word capitalized: "Create New Account") for different elements, then apply uniformly. Sentence case generally works best for modern interfaces. It's easier to read, more conversational, and translates better.^[1] Reserve title case for proper nouns and specific brand elements.

Build capitalization into your content templates and documentation. When teams reference these templates, correct capitalization comes built-in. This reduces training time and prevents inconsistent implementations across products. Also document exceptions carefully. Product names, features, or legal terms might require special treatment.

Consider accessibility and internationalization when setting rules. Some languages don't use capitalization, making title case meaningless in translation. Keep in mind that screen readers can misinterpret ALL CAPS as acronyms. It also comes across as shouting and can be annoying for users to read.